HomeServices of America, a unit of Berkshire's, is already the nation's second largest, full-service residential brokerage firm, according to a news release from Prudential.

"It's not just a name change," said Candace Adams, president of Prudential Connecticut Realty, which is headquartered in Wallingford and also has a corporate office in Shelton.

The new affiliation provides Prudential with an expanded franchise network and "it is grounded in the financial strength of HomeServices and Brookfield, and it brings the Berkshire Hathaway reputation, which is ranked by Forbes in 2012 as one of the most admired companies," Adams said.

Although the name Prudential will disappear from office signs and business cards, Prudential's staff and associated realtors across Fairfield County say they look forward to the transition.

"Prudential is one of the most recognized names in the world, but I think Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett are even more well recognized," said Anne Stark, office leader for the Prudential Connecticut Realty office in Danbury. "We have the backing of a financially stable company at a time when there has been uncertainty and instability in the real estate market," Stark said.

"I think it's terrific. Everything (Buffett) touches turns to gold. He's such an incredible person. I think any association with Berkshire Hathaway is a good one," added Melanie Smith, a real estate broker for Prudential Connecticut Realty in Southport.

Eric Bjork, vice president and director of sales for Prudential, said there was initial anxiety among the 90 agents in his Greenwich office because they knew the company was going to be sold but they didn't know what the brand was going to be. Now they are anticipating it with a lot of enthusiasm, he said.

"Prudential has been a great brand. I've been here 15 years and Prudential has served us well, but I think it's going from good to great," Bjork said.

The parent company, Prudential, had been purchased by Brookfield, which has a great name and company and it's known in commercial real estate circles, he said. But to have the opportunity to use the Berkshire Hathaway name will give them more cache.

"Berkshire Hathaway is number seven on the list of the 50 most respected companies, and Prudential is not even on that list," said Bjork, who is married to Adams.

Bjork said he has 30 years of experience in residential real estate. When he started his career, there was more emphasis on the emotional side of the transaction of buying a home and it has evolved more toward the quantitative investment side, so it makes sense to have an affiliation with someone like Buffet.

"Being in Greenwich with the concentration of financial services firms and hedge funds and the affluent, financially sophisticated clients that we deal with, Berkshire Hathaway resonates -- and it resonates in the positive sense of longevity and trust. People make real estate decisions in a very considered way because it's usually a long-term decision and that's what Warren Buffett is known for; making good, sensible, long-term investments in quality companies," Bjork said.

Under the new ownership, the Prudential company becomes significantly larger, Adams said. There will be an expanded referral network of brokers throughout the country. There will be a much larger national footprint.

Additionally, Adams said, Brookfield Relocation is the second-largest relocation company in the world and they are in partnership with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, so Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices will be servicing Brookfield Relocation clients, "which is a huge advantage to both our brokers and to our clients because they will have reputable, sound professionals handling their business. There will be opportunities for our clients to be exposed to cutting-edge technology and expanded marketing for their home and enhanced training for our salespeople by this new company," Adams said.

For today, nothing will change; Prudential Connecticut Realty will remain a Prudential franchise and continue to provide the same service to its customers.

Since the name change will not occur until at least the third quarter of 2013, it gives people time to get used to the change, Smith said.